Alec Salloum
Regina Leader-Post
At least eight teachers at religion-based independent schools in Saskatchewan do not have high school diplomas, according to the latest provincial auditor’s report.
Released by Tara Clemett’s office on Tuesday, the report notes that the Ministry of Education permits uncertified teachers at registered faith-based independent schools as it recognizes that “these schools may have difficulty finding certified teachers with the applicable religious background.”
“In the event that the ministry is going to allow these schools to have teachers that aren’t necessarily certified, they should be doing a better job of monitoring overall student achievement,” Clemett told reporters during a press conference.
There were 14 religion-based independent schools registered in Saskatchewan as of January 2025 and “none of these schools employed certified teachers,” states the report.
The schools are not funded by the province.
The ministry takes applications for uncertified teachers at religion-based independent schools, issuing “Letters of Eligibility” to those who are successful. Applicants are required to teach at an elementary level, pass a criminal record check, be over the age of 18 and not have had their teacher’s certificate cancelled, according to the criteria listed in the report.
It noted that 88 such letters were issued between February 2023 and February 2025.
Clemett’s office tested 12 teachers with approved “Letters of Eligibility” and found that eight “did not graduate high school,” says the report.
Monitoring student achievement
As of January 2025, those 14 Saskatchewan schools “educated approximately 390 students,” according to the report
“The Ministry indicated the majority of students who attend these religiously based registered independent schools do not attend school beyond Grade 9. Religiously based registered independent schools wanting to offer Grades 10–12 must use teachers with at least a Probationary B Certificate,” states the report.
In 2024-25, there were 54 independent schools teaching 3,600 students in Saskatchewan that received $31 million in ministry funding, the report says.
Clemett’s office found that the ministry needs to do more work “to analyze and report on key indicators of student achievement” across independent schools.
“The Ministry also needs to monitor that public funding provided to independent schools is used for intended purposes,” states the report.
As for student outcomes, the schools were not able to point to analysis showing success or failure of program delivery, notes the provincial auditor.
Auditor’s recommendations
Clemett made four recommendations related to independent schools.
The auditor’s office suggests that the ministry complete risk assessments for alternative independent schools, centrally track its risk ratings for all categories of independent schools, centrally track all non-compliance notices issued to independent schools, and periodically analyze and report to senior management on independent school student achievement.
Clemett said it all comes down to the question of whether students are getting “an effective and quality education.”
Without those checks in place, it’s difficult to assess how students are doing in the core curriculums laid out by the ministry, said the provincial auditor.
In cases where teachers are not degree-holders, such checks could also target potential areas for professional development, when or if a deficiency is identified by the ministry.
“I think that would highlight (potential issues) for them, in the event that there are any gaps, in terms of supports that they need to provide to teachers,” said Clemett.
alsalloum@postmedia.com
